The Burgetts, owners of Music Systems Research, bought Mason & Hamlin’s assets in 1996, but a new Sohmer brand didn’t emerge until 2001.until 1994, when the company went bankrupt and the Sohmer factory in PA was closed.
There are tons of free educational videos online and virtual piano lessons available, and Piano Man Superstore can hook you up with an acoustic piano for a reasonable price and free delivery. If you’ve always wanted to learn to play piano or want to get your child started, there’s never been a better time. It’s a proven stress-reliever that lowers blood pressure, slows your heart rate and increases serotonin, it brings the whole family together, and it’s a great way to break up the monotony of sheltering in place.
After all, I have the time and a piano, and playing music is the best therapy when you’re stuck at home and stir crazy. Now that I’m working from home, I’m practicing every day-not just playing my favorite songs, but really practicing by playing scales and chords. Little by little, my chops started improving and I became progressively more eager to start practicing seriously. Sometimes Nick would sit at the piano next to me and teach me something new or correct me from his office feet away, but more often I’d just play my favorite songs from my childhood or try playing a song from the stacks of books in the showroom. Whenever possible before the world came to a grinding halt due to COVID-19, I’d sit down at my favorite piano-a shiny ebony polish August Hoffman baby grand-and play. As I got older, I’d play a tune now and again for fun, but I didn’t work toward advancing my skills until recently.Ī few months ago, I started working for Piano Man Superstore, where the kindly owner, Nick, rekindled my passion for piano. I discovered the tenor saxophone, joined the school band and lost interest in the piano. After months of practicing, I could proudly play Fur Elise, but I never advanced beyond that.
I refused to touch a piano again until I was 12, when I asked my parents to buy me books so I could teach myself. Not surprisingly, that moment left a mark. At the tender age of 5, my exasperated piano teacher quit in front of me, telling my mom I’d never be any good because I hated practicing and that she was done teaching me.